02:33 - VIGJust sayin' I remember nikarg's Sodom review on the front page, that album was like 30 years old

02:27 - ScreamingSteelUSTechnically, Che's Manunkind review was too old to be featured on the front page. That was a special exception; usually, we prefer to keep our reviews within three-to-four months, with six months as an absolute cutoff.

02:14 - VIG@Radu Of course! I don't think it's too old to be featured on the front page. Look at Che's Manunkind review

00:09 - RaduPPublished a review for an album that's a bit too old to be featured on the front page, but you guys will read it, right? [link]

Also released as a Die Hard black vinyl edition limited to 300 copies with gate-fold sleeve in slipcase, A1 poster and embroidered patch, shrink-wrapped and also released on Icarus Music on May 08, 2012.

The album art to this release does a pretty decent job at grabbing your attention and teasing you with what is to come. The cover, featuring an evil, blue skeletal ghost necro-pope looming massively over a large, creepy mansion, is an homage to Salem's Lot.

Stylistically it could best be described as a homage to the late 60's proto-metal "evil" psychedelic rock bands crossbred with evil early 80's bands. Think Mercyful Oyster Sabbath. Largely catchy retro-psychedelic rock based with the occasional foray into post-Priest metal riffing patterns. Aside from the guitars, groovy bass, and drums there is also an organ that helps with intros and permeates the songs, providing the tracks with a cloaking, sinister fog. The vocals are clean and sung. No shouting, nor growling, or King Diamond falsetto… they're a bit iffy, but clean and catchy enough that they wouldn't seem out of place on your local classic rock station.

Ghost are a young band from Stockholm, Sweden formed merely three years ago. I think it won't hurt their feelings to say that they are a part of the let's-go-back-to-the-70s-hard-rock movement. I'm sure that the vast majority of you have heard of these lads before and are wondering about what it is that makes Ghost different, or maybe even better, than The Devil's Blood, Graveyard or In Solitude?

Still, if they are a "supergroup" it sounds to me like they're doing an unimpressive job.

they are not a supergroup

Only one band member is a full time member of the band and that's the vocalist, who happens to also be the vocalist of Repugnant.
All other members vary from show to show, depending who is available to play. Selim from The Devil's Blood has played guitar for them a couple of times, for example.

Seems you've uncovered the secret But really, Repugnant? As in the Swedish death/thrash band?

Uncovered? anyone with some sort of connections in the death metal world and in the more underground metal world has known for about two years it is Mary Goore handling Ghost's vocals

He's quite the vocalist then if he can perform those two different styles so well, probably one of the only points of interest in this album. If it is known by individuals with those sorts of connections why hasn't it become public knowledge?

Only one band member is a full time member of the band and that's the vocalist, who happens to also be the vocalist of Repugnant.
All other members vary from show to show, depending who is available to play. Selim from The Devil's Blood has played guitar for them a couple of times, for example.

That is some good data. I knew about the singer, I didn't know that the others varied. That is wise, it keeps the rumors rollin'
There was a rumor that is actually Fenriz who handles the drums, but that is unlikely if you read a bit about the guy...

Amazing album, from start to finish!! The vocals are decent., simple but yet amazing. And those little sweet guitar solos are what make me come back for more and more. I've listened to the album more than 10 times. Ghost is a breath of fresh air for the heavy metal community, they sound so different and unique. On stage it's like watching a satanic \m/ but sweet theatrical performance!!! I can't wait to hear some more music from them. One thing I hope that they don't do is go comercial, they need to stick to the Opus Eponymous roots!!!

I remember when Ghost exploded onto the scene about five years ago, people literally wouldn't stop talking about the gimmick, the music, the fact that the vocalist was called Papa Emeritus,etc. I also loved the album when it first came out, thought it was excellent stuff. Over time however it's worn off me quite a bit, and now when I re-listen to these songs I just get a really underwhelming impression, as if there's so much more there could have been. The Beatles cover is really good though, as are "Satan Prayer" and "Death Knell"-perhaps the album's stand-out highlights. Just a pity that the rest of the songs fall flat in comparison.

Fairly good stuff, cannot compete with classic 70s rock albums, yet it's an enjoyable album. Though, I could swear I've heard most of these songs somewhere, by some other band, similar vocals as well Well, cannot recall it, but it's out there and AFAICR been done way better.

Ok I know I've been living under a fuckin' rock for the past 5 years, but yeah I've just really listened to this album a couple times (more like 20 or so times), and what a damn shame I didn't do that earlier. Ghost is an amazing band.. I listen to this and all I can think of is Blue Oyster Cult, Iron Butterfly, Uriah Heep, Mercyful Fate and the likes... It's nostalagia with a pinch of modernity. I'm hooked -_-